HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRINCESS

Have you ever met someone and felt like you have known them in a past life?
When my best friend married I got re-acquainted with her sister-in-law Sally. Sal is quite a bit younger than I am - although how much I will keep to myself - and I swear that in another time we may have been sisters. I see a lot of myself in her which I'm sure will horrify her.
It's Sally's birthday today and like me she loves an enormous fuss made of her on her special day hence an entire post devoted to my 'could have been' sister. She would never have been satisfied with with anything less.

Have a fabulous day you old bag and look after my boy!!

Too Excited to Speak!

This arrived in the mail from Amazon about 5 minutes ago.

The seventh and final series of Gilmore Girls!

Need I say more?

Please do not try to call, drop in or contact me in any way for at least a fortnight.

I'm going to Stars Hollow.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Aren't these fabulous!

They are just a few of the family Christmas snaps that may be in CHALK's Christmas windows this week.

I'd love to share them all with you but there are just so many.

By the way - last night was fantastic! Buggered today but a huge thankyou to the gorgeous Wilbur and HAPPY 40th my dear.

Saturday Night.

Surfer Boy and I are off to a party tonight!!! The reason I'm whipping off a quick post about it is because it has been so long since we last did something non-kid related on a Saturday night. In fact I actually can't recall the last time. Oh my God how sad is that.
We're off to the 40th of a boy I met in 1983 at Dancing Class! I'm so thrilled that I still can count people I met so long ago as dear friends.
I might try and scare up some then and now photos to show you tomorrow.
Best go and put on my party frock, brush my hair, and put on my dancing shoes....

THANKYOU

This is a huge thank you to Jodie at Ric Rac who quite amazingly read my blog, has the cowboy and Indian fabric I need, (see down 2 posts) and is willing to part with it!!!! You ripper!! I am constantly amazed at the generosity and support Blogging girls show each other and here is another perfect example. So 'YEAH JODIE!'

Here is the bunch of flowers I would send you if you weren't one of my 'imaginary friends' (as Surfer Boy refers to all I meet through Blogging.)

Quilting like a maniac

It's been a busy week of patching. I have a blister the size of a five cent piece on my cutting thumb and a very sore back from leaning over the dining table to slice up 100s of patchwork squares. Loved every minute though.

This is the finished single bed quilt that I made for a friend. Usually I make then into doona covers for a bit more versatility but this is an actual quilt and for the first time I tried actually quilting it. Worked out pretty well I think. She chose all the fabrics and delivered them all to me which was fabulous and cut out at least one trip around Melbourne's fabric shops.

When Gidget turned two and moved into a 'big bed' I made her a patchwork doona. The Little Fella is now 31/2 years old and I still haven't got around to making his so that is this weeks project. The squares are all cut, and as of this afternoon I have finished 11 of 15 rows! He may actually get it sooner rather than later! He helped me choose the fabrics and even holds the material while I sew 'cause he's 'helping Mummy'. (By the way only the cut squares are his, not the lovely pink florals!!)

This is the work in progress as of 9.45 Monday night.

I've got orders waiting on a few more but I am determined to finish this one first - fingers crossed.

HELP

I am hoping someone out there in Blogger Land can help me. I have a customer who wants me to make a single bed quilt. No problem there! She wants it to be the same as a cot quilt I have in the shop at the moment. Here is the problem - I only ever buy enough for one or two quilts and I can' t locate the fabric anywhere! If anyone knows where I can get this fabric or even has half a meter I could buy I would love you forever!!!

Either or both of these colourways is fine.

Where's Flashdance?

A friend of mine was watching a special called top 10 songs from 80's movies, here is their list:

10. Psychadelic Furs - Pretty in Pink

9. Kokomo - Cocktail

8. Who Can it be Now - Business As Usual

7. Wonderful World - Good Morning Vietnam

6. Into the Groove - Suddenly Susan

5. View to a Kill - Bond

4. Take My Breath Away - Top Gun

3. IKO IKO - Rainman

2. I've had the time of my life - Dirty Dancing

1. FOOTLOOSE

She emailed me to see if I thought there was a glaring omission!!

What do you think?

Drought Guilt

What fabulous weather we're having in Melbourne at the moment. Although every time I say that I feel like I should add, 'but I wish it would rain'. Droughts are absolutely no fun at all! Not only do you always feel slightly guilty every time you are enjoying the nice weather, but what happened to running through the sprinklers and Slip 'n Slide? I filled up our paddling pool with about two inches of water for the kids and felt bad about it the entire time the hose was running. Not only is the drought an absolute bastard on a big scale, it is also a bitch for ruining the smaller pleasures in life.

I have to confess and say that even though I HATE THE DROUGHT, I'm loving the hot weather! (gosh that's so politically incorrect these days)

Like most things I love (doughnuts, ice cream) there is major guilt attached. It's not fair.

Get'cha Head In The Game - High School Musical

Another fabulous dance number that I just had to share with you - Another Zac Efron gem!

My Favourite Thing

After spending ages looking at Lorettas bookshelves over at Only Books All The Time, I decided to post photos of mine for others who love a good book perve. I have actually managed to clear some space on them as I have been unable to convince Surfer Boy to build me some more.

I've taken the shot in bits as it didn't fit - they actually work right to left with the novels and biographies on the right, classics and young adult in the middle, and assorted stuff on the left. (kind of).

What Classic Movie Are You?

What
What Classic Movie Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Not Again

After work today I did my usual sneak up the road for a cup of tea.... and as usual I got sidetracked in the Sun Bookshop. This strip of Yarraville is particularly dangerous for me as not only is the best movie theatre in Australia here, my favourite bookshop and a cafe full of desserts and Jasmine tea are all side by side.

I used the excuse that I was popping in to get my next book group book, but I seem to have walked out with everything but!

First up was the sequel to the book I am reading at the moment... I couldn't possibly not buy the sequel now could I?

Then I happened across this Christmas gem.

This is the cutest Christmas book I've seen in a long time and I could not resist - it will go in the magic present box until a little closer to December.

How could I not buy a book with illustrations like this?

As I was leaving a standing with my nose pressed up against the glass to drink in the window display I noticed this...

Now I know there are many bloggers out there who must know this book so my questions is - 'Should my pay check next week go on this?'

Leaving Home

I have 2 very exciting pieces of news - I have given birth - to a new blog, and CHALK is leaving home!

I made the decision today to give CHALK (the shop) its own blog. This came about in part to Paul Walkers' bare chest!! (see eye candy)
After posting the original photo I decided it needed to be cropped as there was a little too much exposed groin for a blog associated with my place of business. Maybe not very professional I thought. It seemed such a shame but I started thinking about cutting a lot out of my blog to keep it more CHALK related. Then I had a brainwave! Start a new one! That way I get to crap on even more in this blog, and get to post as much eye candy as I like without getting in trouble.

So... CHALK has now left home and has its own pad over at www.chalkconcepts.blogspot.com
Over there I will post the usual hot products, sale info, new stock in store etc and any other CHALK related titbits. Please visit (and leave a comment) as I'm guessing it will be lonely over there for a while.
Ciao, Jen

Apparently My Colour Is Lavender

YOU ARE LAVENDER #E6E6FA
Your dominant hue is blue, making you a good friend who people love and trust. You're good in social situations and want to fit in. Just be careful not to compromise who you are to make them happy.
Your saturation level is very low - you have better things to do than jump headfirst into every little project. You make sure your actions are going to really accomplish something before you start because you hate wasting energy making everyone else think you're working.
Your outlook on life is bright. You see good things in situations where others may not be able to, and it frustrates you to see them get down on everything.
the spacefem.com html color quiz

Halloween

People have been kind enough to show an interest in our Halloween day so I thought I'd better post about it.

We had some of our neighbourhood friends over for afternoon tea to help us celebrate and we had a wonderful time eating up all the goodies we had made during the week and drinking buckets of blood. The kids all dressed up for the occasion and I was even able to convince one mum to add some face paint. I'd love to post some photos of these splendid kids but I don't like to add photos of other people without asking.

I can show you this shot as nearly all of their backs are turned! We made our own bats to take home which was great fun.

Later on I took my kids trick or treating and I must say for a country that doesn't really celebrate Halloween we managed to come home with a fair haul!



Surfer boy took one look at me as we were about to leave and said - "You're not seriously leaving the house like that??" Of course I was and I must say I couldn't see his problem!



All in all it was a fabulous day and the excitement on the kids faces was worth every cent I spent on bloody pumpkins that I now don't know what to do with.

Next year we'll definitely be adding Halloween to the calender and it won't be as 'last minute' as it was this year. Watch Out!!

Hot Product

Look what arrived in the store today!

These gorgeous slip-on canvas runners come in 5 colours and we stock sizes 24 to 30. They go with absolutely everything and cut out the 'Muuum, can you do up my shoes' factor.

Also perfect for anyone who is a little bit over the Croc thing.

At $26.00 you don't need to toss up between colours either - buy them all!!! (go on - then Surfer boy and I can go on a holiday)

Australian Record Industry Awards

God I love the ARIAs -

*How many beers do you reckon Daniel Johns consumed before Silverchairs Album Of The Year award??

*How hot were John Butler and Keith Urban together?

*Is Nick Cave finally loosing his mane?

*Did anyone else tear up when Missy sang?

*Can anyone do rock star better than Daniel Johns?

*Is Megan Gale taller than Rove McManus?

*Is there anyone else who doesn't get the Sneaky Sound System phenomenon?

*Sarah Blasko - best pop release??

All questions I could ask for this weeks poll.....

This is for Eliza -

This is for me -

And this is just 'cause she's ACE -

History Lesson

Due to public demand I am going to give all my Australian friends a history lesson...

ORIGINS OF HALLOWEEN

Halloween dates back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.

The Celts celebrated their new year on November 1st. This day marked the end of the harvest (hence the pumpkin) and the beginning of winter, a time of year often associated with death.

The Celts also believed that on new years eve (Oct 31st) the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became thinner.

To celebrate New Years Eve the Druids built huge bonfires where the people gathered to make sacrifices to the gods. During these celebrations they wore costumes and attempted to tell each others fortunes.

Once Romans had conquered most of the Celtic territory, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain.

The first was Feralia, when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honour Pomona, the goddess of fruit and trees.

When Christianity spread to Celtic lands, Pope Boniface IV made Nov 1st All Saint's Day. It is widely believed that the pope was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a church sanctioned holiday.

The celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hollowmas and the night before began to be called All-hallows Eve, and eventually, Halloween.

Even later the church would make Nov 2 All Soul's Day. It was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, costumes, angels and devils.

And finally to Beau - I did teach you this , you just weren't listening as usual!!

(I can't for the life of me remember where I got my original notes for this so if I have hugely plagerised someones work I opologise and please let me know so I can credit you.)

Aaargh!

Does anyone else get really agro on a windy day, or is it just me??

HALLOWEEN

Moondoggie and I have been Halloweening our front verandah this morning.


We were in a bit of a quandary as I was unsure when you were allowed to start decorating for this holiday. It is not one that is widely celebrated in Australia so I did what all good bloggers do - contacted the lovely Whitney in America and asked her advice! Apparently, like Christmas, decorating starts as early as possible to eek out maximum enjoyment, hence this mornings pumpkin hanging.

When I was teaching I celebrated Halloween with my class as we had quite a few international students. I felt it was important to explain the origins of Halloween and spent quite a few sessions on it's history and cultural significance. I did not want it to be seen as just another American invention as it has such a wonderful, rich history and is a fascinating celebration.

(If I can lay my hands on my Grade 3 synopsis of Halloween I'll post it for anyone who's interested.)

This year, (or to be honest, yesterday!) I decided it might be fun for the kids to talk about Halloween and decorate a little. They loved the idea and having been brought up on Australian TV which has a scary amount of American programming, they knew heaps more about it than I thought they did. What they didn't know is the background to the celebration so today I'm going to put on my teaching hat again and fill them in. Surprisingly there is more to it than re-runs of scary Simpson's episodes!

And just because I'm in the mood - here are some Halloween decorations that I wish were at my house..... maybe next year!

Photos courtesy of Martha Stewart.com

One more thing - how can we make a fabulous Halloween tradition of our own here in Australia when our seasons are reversed and many of the traditions are related to Autumn?? I guess it's the same as our Christmas dilemma - snowmen, sleigh rides and hot turkey lunches in 40 degree heat!!

Like Mother, Like Daughter

One of the joys of having kids is seeing parts of yourself reflected in them. It may be your musical ability, your tongue rolling skills, your sporting prowess.
In my case it is the ability to read until I fall asleep, but still be able to continue where I left off when I wake up!!

My children are obviously going to be gifted in all the skills that really matter.

The book she is reading (or actually, not reading) is one of 4 fabulous Richard Scarry hardcover books I found at the Mill Markets in Geelong. I was particularly chuffed about this find as I remember pouring over his books for hours when I was young and it's lovely to be able to share that joy with the kids.

Better Late Than Never

FINALLY!!!

Today - thanks to my very talented and creative friend Kris, I produced my very first graphic tee for CHALK!! Woo Hoo!

This has been in the pipeline for the 5 years of CHALKs existence but for one reason or another has taken this long to actually reach the store. Nothing like watching a professional make it look easy to inspire you.

In the past I have done appliqued tees, button tees etc but the screen printing has always ended up in the 'too hard basket'.

UNTIL TODAY.

I present CHALKs very first printed tee, done by my own fair hand (and watched over by Kris) -

The Firebird.......

She will go into the shop tomorrow so hopefully she will be well received.

What do you think?

Flashback Friday

The theme this week is Grandpas.

Unfortunately I didn't get to spend very long with my grandfather as he passed away when I was young. I particularly love this photo taken at Aspendale beach in 1970. I don't have many photos taken with Keith so this is one I treasure.

Recently my Mum passed on all of Grandpas diaries to me. It has been a lovely journey dipping into them and getting a glimpse of the man. They are such a slice of history too as many were written during WW2 when he was stationed in New Guinea.

Play School

Thought we might stock these -

What do you think?

It's A Good Day For A Hat Today

Bring It On - Cheer

Here's the cheer I mentioned yesterday - enjoy

Big Saturday Night

I'm on my own tonight as Surfer Boy has gone to see Nick Cave.

Can't decide what to do.....read, eat more, blog, watch crap telly, re-watch Bring It On, google friends names randomly and see what comes up, eat more, turn all the lights off and listen to Chris Issak, clean the oven, ....................



And because I'm bored here are the words to the opening cheer from Bring It On. (One of my favourite scenes in a movie)

I'm sexy, I'm cute!

I'm popular to boot!

I'm bitchin'.

Great hair!

The boys all love to stare!

I'm wanted, I'm hot!

I'm everything you're not!

I'm pretty, I'm cool!

I dominate this school!

Who am I?

Just guess!

Guys wanna touch my chest!

I'm rockin'.

I smile!

And many think I'm vile.

I'm flying, I jump!

You can look but don't you hump!

Whoo!

I'm major, I roar!

I swear I'm not a whore!

We cheer, and we lead!

We act like we're on speed!

Hate us 'cause we're beautiful?

Well, we don't like you either!

We are cheerleaders, we are cheerleaders.....ROLL CALL!